EVEN if injured Michigan quarterback Drew Henson pursues a football career at the expense of his baseball career and injured Double-A outfielder Jackson Melian falls short of his considerable power potential, the Reds won’t have lost anything by dealing Denny Neagle to the Yankees.

Since Elmer Dessens replaced Neagle in the Reds’ rotation, Dessens and Neagle have compiled very similar statistics.

Going into the weekend, Dessens was 5-5 with a 5.09 ERA and averaged 61/3 innings in 10 starts since the trade. Neagle was 4-4 with a 4.88 ERA for the Yankees and averaged almost 62/3 innings in his nine starts. …

As opposed to the Neagle trade that garnered headlines and convinced many the Yankees had locked up another World Series title, a waiver deal the Blue Jays made Aug. 4 barely made the small type.

The Jays dealt right-hander Peter Munro for journeyman outfielder Dave Martinez. The Blue Jays became the eighth different organization for Martinez, who played with the Cubs twice. The Jays also became his fourth team this season alone, making him the first player since Dave Kingman in 1977 (Mets, Padres, Angels, Yankees) to play for four teams in one season.

Martinez this season has been traded for Mark Guthrie, Brant Brown and Munro, not exactly a Mount Rushmore of baseball stars. Yet, he has made a huge impact on the Blue Jays and is a big reason they are in serious contention for the wild card.

Heading into the weekend, Martinez had at least one hit in all 20 of his games for the Blue Jays and was batting .398 for the Jays with a .463 on-base percentage.